Isabelle de Tomaso Dies at 96

The New Jersey breeder and former race car driver, daughter of Monmouth Park's builder, died October 29 at age 96.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Equestrian

Isabelle de Tomaso, a longtime New Jersey owner and breeder and former race car driver, died October 29 at age 96. She began breeding Thoroughbreds in 1969 and bred more than 100 New Jersey-breds.

Why it matters

Her death closes a chapter for a family deeply tied to New Jersey racing, whose father built Monmouth Park. Her homebred Irish War Cry remains her most accomplished runner.

Irish War Cry, her most accomplished homebred, won three graded stakes with trainer Graham Motion and retired with a 5-2-0 record from 13 starts and $1,257,060 in earnings. The source does not detail cause of death or memorial plans.

The players

Isabelle de Tomaso

A New Jersey breeder and former race car driver who co-built the automobile company De Tomaso Automobili with Alejandro de Tomaso.

Amory Haskell

Her father, who built Monmouth Park and led its Jockey Club until his death in 1966.

Irish War Cry

The Thoroughbred homebred that was de Tomaso's most accomplished runner, winning three graded stakes with trainer Graham Motion.

The details

De Tomaso was the second youngest of five children of Annette and Amory Haskell, and was raised in Middletown, N.J. Her father built Monmouth Park and served as president of its Jockey Club until his death in 1966.

October 1953: Competed in her first race after obtaining a sporting driving license.
1966: Amory Haskell died while serving as Monmouth Park Jockey Club president.
1969: Began breeding Thoroughbreds.
October 29: Died at age 96.

Roadmap

Her family's founding of Monmouth Park under Amory Haskell anchors her legacy in New Jersey racing. Her breeding program extended that heritage through more than 100 New Jersey-breds.

New Jersey racing fans who follow Monmouth Park's history can trace the track's breeding legacy through her family. Her Thoroughbred operation shaped the state's breeding landscape over decades.

The takeaway

Families that build venues often leave a lasting imprint on their sport. Isabelle de Tomaso's breeding work carried that legacy forward for more than half a century.